Ofloxacin
/api/v1/drug/ofloxacinMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action classes: DNA Gyrase Inhibitors; Topoisomerase 4 Inhibitors.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the following bacteria in the conditions listed below:
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to ofloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication (see WARNINGS ).contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAThe recommended dosage regimen for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis is: Days 1 and 2 Instill one to two drops every two to four hours in the affected eye(s). Days 3 through 7 Instill one to two drops four times daily. The recommended dosage regimen for the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcer is: Days 1 and 2 Instill one to two drops into the affected eye every 30 minutes, while awake. Awaken at approximately four and six hours after retiring and instill one to two drops. Days 3 through 7 to 9 Instill one to two drops hourly, while awake. Days 7 to 9 through treatment completion Instill one to two drops, four times daily.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDANOT FOR INJECTION. Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution should not be injected subconjunctivally, nor should it be introduced directly into the anterior chamber of the eye. There are rare reports of anaphylactic reaction/shock and fatal hypersensitivity reactions in patients receiving systemic quinolones, some following the first dose, including ofloxacin. Some reactions were accompanied by cardiovascular collapse, loss of consciousness, angioedema (including laryngeal, pharyngeal or facial edema), airway obstruction, dyspnea, urticaria, and itching. A rare occurrence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which progressed to toxic epidermal necrolysis, has been reported in a patient who was receiving topical ophthalmic ofloxacin. If an allergic reaction to ofloxacin occurs, discontinue the drug. Serious acute hypersensitivity reactions may require immediate emergency treatment. Oxygen and airway management, including intubation should be administered as clinically indicated.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAOphthalmic use: The most frequently reported drug-related adverse reaction was transient ocular burning or discomfort. Other reported reactions include stinging, redness, itching, chemical conjunctivitis/keratitis, ocular/periocular/facial edema, foreign body sensation, photophobia, blurred vision, tearing, dryness, and eye pain. Rare reports of dizziness and nausea have been received. Refer to WARNINGS for additional adverse reactions. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sentlss at 1--855-473-6847 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDAPregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Ofloxacin has been shown to have an embryocidal effect in rats and in rabbits when given in doses of 810 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 9000 times the maximum recommended daily ophthalmic dose) and 160 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 1800 times the maximum recommended daily ophthalmic dose). These dosages resulted in decreased fetal body weight and increased fetal mortality in rats and rabbits, respectively. Minor fetal skeletal variations were reported in rats receiving doses of 810 mg/kg/day. Ofloxacin has not been shown to be teratogenic at doses as high as 810 mg/kg/day and 160 mg/kg/day when administered to pregnant rats and rabbits, respectively. Nonteratogenic Effects: Additional studies in rats with doses up to 360 mg/kg/day during late gestation showed no adverse effect on late fetal development, labor, delivery, lactation, neonatal viability, or growth of the newborn. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Pharmacokinetics
Sourced from openFDA- Metabolism
- Serum, urine and tear concentrations of ofloxacin were measured in 30 healthy women at various time points during a ten-day course of treatment with ofloxacin ophthalmic solution. The mean serum ofloxacin concentration ranged from 0.4 ng/mL to 1.9 ng/mL.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Jul 30, 1993NDANDA019921Allergan
- May 14, 2004ANDAANDA076513Apotex Inc
- May 14, 2004ANDAANDA076622Bausch And Lomb
- Sep 28, 2007ANDAANDA076527Apotex Inc
- Mar 17, 2008ANDAANDA076128Bausch And Lomb Inc
- Apr 15, 2008ANDAANDA076407Sentiss
- Feb 25, 2009ANDAANDA078559Fdc Ltd
- Apr 29, 2013ANDAANDA202692Altaire Pharms Inc
FAERS reports
- 1Drug Ineffective3494.9%
- 2Eye Pain3474.8%
- 3Off Label Use3124.4%
- 4Headache2864.0%
- 5Pain2813.9%
- 6Fatigue2633.7%
- 7Nausea2563.6%
- 8Arthralgia2483.5%
- 9Diarrhoea2463.4%
- 10Acute Kidney Injury2433.4%
- 11Anxiety2112.9%
- 12Dyspnoea2082.9%
- 13Renal Failure2082.9%
- 14Pyrexia2062.9%
- 15Chronic Kidney Disease1942.7%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Ofloxacin as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Ratiometric Fluorescence and Smartphone-Assisted Visual Assay of Tetracycline and Levofloxacin Based on Dual-Emission Carbon Dots.Luminescence : the journal of biological and chemical luminescence · 2026 · Guo B, Wu M, Wang D, et al.PMID 42270436DOI 10.1002/bio.70538
- Discrimination of the S-isomer of ofloxacin using nanozyme-enhanced immunochromatographic analysis based on a secondary antibody-modified Au@Pd nanozyme.Mikrochimica acta · 2026 · Hendrickson OD, Byzova NA, Panferov VG, et al.PMID 42258022DOI 10.1007/s00604-026-08172-7
- In-situ Mn/Ni dual-metal-anchored ZIF-67 nanocubes for peroxymonosulfate activation toward ofloxacin degradation and photoinactivation.Journal of environmental management · 2026 · Sre VV, Janani B, Bahkali AH, et al.PMID 42177871DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129991
- EDTA potentiates gentamicin and ofloxacin antibacterial activity against biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius derived from canine superficial pyoderma.Veterinary microbiology · 2026 · Usui M, Nakajima C, Suzuki Y, et al.PMID 42155330DOI 10.1016/j.vetmic.2026.111072
- Levofloxacin versus moxifloxacin in nitazoxanide-based quadruple therapy as a first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection: NILE, a randomized, comparative, multicenter study.Scientific reports · 2026 · El-Azab G, Salam SA, Moustafa E, et al.PMID 42151286DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-51062-4
- Gut microbiome and metabolic responses of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to the co-exposure of polyethylene microplastics and levofloxacin.Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) · 2026 · Li M, Liu T, Yuan Y, et al.PMID 42142727DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128358
- Multi-compartmental Ni-MOF@C microcapsules for enhanced electrochemical detection of paracetamol and levofloxacin.Analytica chimica acta · 2026 · Hao R, Xie W, Tian D, et al.PMID 42128565DOI 10.1016/j.aca.2026.345576
- In vitro effects of pH variation and immune-induced copper accumulation on the antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of levofloxacin during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.Bioorganic chemistry · 2026 · Labović M, Milenković MR, Bajuk-Bogdanović D, et al.PMID 42127742DOI 10.1016/j.bioorg.2026.109947
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 459 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Ofloxacin as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety Parameters of Different Antibiotics Regimens for Management of EmpyemaCompleted · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Fayoum UniversityNCT06787885updated 2026-06-05
- Bedaquiline Roll-out Evidence in Contacts and People Living With HIV to Prevent TBRecruiting · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 2,530 enrolled · Johns Hopkins UniversityNCT06568484updated 2026-06-03
- Vonoprazan High-Dose Dual VS Levofloxacin ConcomitantNot yet recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 150 enrolled · Damascus HospitalNCT07624422updated 2026-06-03
- STeroids and Enhanced Spectrum Antibiotics for the Treatment of Patients in Africa With Refractory SepsisNot yet recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 344 enrolled · University of VirginiaNCT07332325updated 2026-06-01
- Early Discontinuation of Antibiotics in Paediatric High-risk Febrile NeutropeniaNot yet recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 136 enrolled · Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research InstituteNCT07590648updated 2026-05-15
- Enhanced Treatment Strategy for Disseminated MAC Infection in HIV Patients: A Randomized Controlled TrialNot yet recruiting · Interventional · 124 enrolled · Shanghai Public Health Clinical CenterNCT07585461updated 2026-05-13
- Shorter and Safer Treatment Regimens for Latent TBRecruiting · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 1,800 enrolled · McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreNCT06498414updated 2026-05-11
- Levofloxacin-Based Sequential Therapy Versus Bismuth Quadruple Therapy for Helicobacter Pylori EradicationNot yet recruiting · Interventional · 90 enrolled · University of Health Sciences LahoreNCT07574983updated 2026-05-08
- Postoperative Antibiotic Management Duration Following Surgery for Intravenous Drug Abuse (IVDA) Endocarditis (OPTIMAL)Terminated · Phase 4 · Interventional · 5 enrolled · West Virginia UniversityNCT05156437updated 2026-05-05
- Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Commonly Used Drugs in Lactating Women and Breastfed InfantsRecruiting · Observational · 1,600 enrolled · Duke UniversityNCT03511118updated 2026-04-24
Pharmacogenomics
CPIC-curated drug–gene pairs for Ofloxacin. Levels describe the strength of curated evidence and guideline status — never a recommendation to test or to adjust therapy.
- G6PDCPIC C
Frequently asked questions
- How does Ofloxacin work?
- Mechanism-of-action classes: DNA Gyrase Inhibitors; Topoisomerase 4 Inhibitors.
- What is Ofloxacin used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Ofloxacin carries indications including: Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the following bacteria in the conditions listed below:. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Ofloxacin?
- Ofloxacin is classified as Antiinfectives, Fluoroquinolones, Quinolone Antimicrobial, DNA Gyrase Inhibitors, Topoisomerase 4 Inhibitors, Decreased DNA Integrity, Decreased DNA Replication, Decreased Transcription to RNA.
- What are the brand names for Ofloxacin?
- Ofloxacin is marketed under brand names including Ocuflox.
- What are the contraindications for Ofloxacin?
- Ofloxacin labeling lists contraindications including: Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to ofloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication (see WARNINGS ).. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
ofloxacin is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.